Is an attorney necessary?

[Gumbymac]

Tennessee - When should you hire an attorney for a child going to juvenile court? The charges are a minor traffic violation, curfew, broken tail light and possession of alcohol that was not open but in the locked trunk that wasn't his.

 

[magic55]

You dont have to get a lawyer for those charges but if you do he will get alot lighter penalties. Due to the alcohol charge that stay with him (I am guessing its a misdameanor) for a long time. Not to mention lose his license.

 

[Gumbymac]

Thank you.

You dont have to get a lawyer for those charges but if you do he will get alot lighter penalties. Due to the alcohol charge that stay with him (I am guessing its a misdameanor) for a long time. Not to mention lose his license.

Seriously, I appreciate you taking the time to answer and being kind. I am going to get him attorney to be safe.

 

[Gumbymac]

Possession of Alcohol - actual law and penalties

What is the law for a juvenile and possession of alcohol? If alcohol is unopened in a locked trunk of a car and there is an 18 year old in the car but a 16 year old driving what are the consequences for the 16 year old? My son believes because of this he can not lose his license. Another juvenile in the car was completely and obviously intoxicated while the driver was completely sober but only the driver received any citations, can an officer do that legally? Last but not least, the first words to the three boys when they were asked to exit the car were, "You better tell the truth or I am going to beat the s"#$ out of you. The officer proceeded to say, "You want to smell the back seat of my car, because I beat the last boy that lied to me and he s*&^ his pants." I am hesitant to report this because we live in a small town and will have to deal with this officer all the time. Am I better off letting the comments go?

 

[magic55]

What is the law for a juvenile and possession of alcohol? If alcohol is unopened in a locked trunk of a car and there is an 18 year old in the car but a 16 year old driving what are the consequences for the 16 year old? My son believes because of this he can not lose his license.

Your son is very wrong. He can lose his license. Him driving the car constitutes him being in possession. As it is his/your car. Dont listen to your songs legal opinion again until he goes to law school.

Another juvenile in the car was completely and obviously intoxicated while the driver was completely sober but only the driver received any citations, can an officer do that legally?

Absolutely. It is his car, he is driving. Theres alcohol in the car, and he is in possession of it. The other kid has nothing to do with your case.

Last but not least, the first words to the three boys when they were asked to exit the car were, "You better tell the truth or I am going to beat the s"#$ out of you. The officer proceeded to say, "You want to smell the back seat of my car, because I beat the last boy that lied to me and he s*&^ his pants." I am hesitant to report this because we live in a small town and will have to deal with this officer all the time. Am I better off letting the comments go?

Theres not much you would do but file a complaint which would go no where. Best off letting it go. Get a lawyer and move on with your life.